Powered by www.myengg.

com

COLLISIONS
PREVIOUS EAMCET QUESTIONS
ENGINEERING
1. A body of mass 5kg makes an elastic collision with another body at rest and continues to
move in the original direction after collision with a velocity equal to 1/10th of its original
velocity. Then the mass of the second body is : (2009 E)
1) 4.09 kg 2) 0.5 kg 3) 5 kg 4) 5.09 kg
Ans : 1
⎛ m − m2 ⎞ ⎛ 2m2 ⎞
Sol: v1 = ⎜ 1 ⎟ u1 + ⎜ ⎟ u2
⎝ 1
m + m2 ⎠ ⎝ 1
m + m2 ⎠

u
Given m1 = 5kg, u1 = u, u2 = 0, v1 = , m2 = ?
10
u ⎛ 5 − m2 ⎞
∴ =⎜ ⎟u
10 ⎝ 5 + m2 ⎠
50-10m2 = 5+m2
45 = 11m2 ⇒ m2= 4.09 kg

2. A particle of mass 4m explodes into three pieces of masses m, m and 2m. The equal masses
move along X and Y-axes with velocities 4ms-1 and 6ms-1 respectively. The magnitude of
the velocity of the heavier mass is : (2009 E)
13 −1
1) 17ms −1 2) 2 13ms −1 3) 13ms −1 4) ms
2
Ans : 3
Sol: According to the law of conservation of linear momentum p1 + p2 + p3 = 0
( )
∴ p1 + p2 = − p3

(i.e) the vector p3 is opposite to the direction of the resultant of p1 & p2

∴ p3 = p12 + p2 2

⇒ ( 2m ) v = ( 4m ) + ( 6m )
2 2

∴ v = 13ms −1

3. A ball is dropped from a height ‘h’ on a floor of coefficient of restitution ‘e’. The total
distance covered by the ball just before second hit is (2008 E)
2 2 2 2
1) h(1-2e ) 2) h(1+2e ) 3) h(1-e ) 4) he
Ans : 3
Sol: From the def. of coefficient of restitution
h1
e=
h
h
⇒ e2 = 1
h
79

Powered by www.myengg.com
 Powered by www.myengg.com
Collisions
⇒ h1 = e 2 h
S = Total distance traveled before second impact = h +2h1
∴ S = h + 2e 2 h = h(1-e2)

⎛3⎞
4. An object of mass 2m is projected with a speed of 100ms-1 at an angle θ = sin −1 ⎜ ⎟ to the
⎝5⎠
horizontal. At the highest point, the object breaks into two pieces of same mass m and the
first one comes to rest. The distance between the point of projection and the point of landing
of the bigger piece (in metre) is : (2007 E)
1) 3840 2) 1280 3) 1440 4) 960
Ans: 3
u 2 sin 2θ
Sol: Horizontal range of the object fired R =
g
At the highest point, when object is exploded into two equal masses then from law of
conservation of momentum
2mu co s θ = m(0) +mv
V = 2u co s θ
Therefore, the horizontal velocity becomes double at the highest point, hence it covers
double the distance during the remaining flight.
R 3R
∴ Total range = + R =
2 2
3 ⎡ u sin 2θ ⎤
2
= ⎢ ⎥
2⎣ g ⎦
3 4
3 (
100 ) × 2 × ×
2

= × 5 5
2 10
= 1440

5. In two separate collisions, the coefficient of restitution e1 and e2 are in the ratio 3:1. In the
first collision the relative velocity of approach is twice the is twice the relative velocity of
separation, then and the ratio between relative velocity of approach to the relative velocity
of separation in the second collision is : (2007 E)
1) 1:6 2) 2:3 3) 3:2 4) 6:1
Ans : 4
e1 3
Sol: Given = …………………….(1)
e2 1
In the first collision u1-u2=2(v2-v1)
2 ( v2 − v1 )
∴ =1
u1 − u2
relative velocity of separation
From the def. of coefficient of restitution =
relative velocity of approach

80
Powered by www.myengg.com
 Powered by www.myengg.com
Collisions
1
e1 = …………………….(2)
2
1
From equation (1) e2 =
6
v2 − v1 1 v2 − v1
But e2 = ⇒ =
u1 − u2 6 u1 − u 2
u1 − u2
∴ =6
v2 − v1

6. A man of 50 kg is standing at one end on a boat of length 25m and mass 200kg. If he starts
running and when he reaches the other end, he has a velocity 2ms-1 with respect to the boat.
The final velocity of the boat is (in ms-1) (2006 E)
2 2 8 8
1) 2) 3) 4)
5 3 5 3
Ans : 1
Sol: According to the law of conservation of momentum mu1 + Mu2 = mv1 + ( M + m ) v2 where
m& M are the masses of the man and boat
v1 and v2 are the final velocities of man and boat
∴ 50 × 0 + 200 × 0 = 50 × 2 + ( 200 + 50 ) v2
2
∴ v2 = − ms −1
5

7. For a system to follow the law of conservation of linear momentum during a collision, the
condition is (2006 E)
(a) total external force acting on the system is zero
(b) total external force acting on the system is finite and time of collision is negligible
(c) total internal force acting on the system is zero
1) (a) only 2) (b) only 3) (c) only 4) (a) or (b)
Ans: 1
Sol: From newtons second law of motion
dp
F=
dt
dp
If F = 0, then = 0 ⇒ p = cons tan t
dt
Therefore, if external force acting on the system is zero, then linear momentum of the
system remains conserve.

8. Consider the following statements A and B and identify the correct answer:
A: In an elastic collision, if a body suffers a head on collision with another of same mass at
rest, the first body comes to rest while the other starts moving with the velocity of the first
one.

81
Powered by www.myengg.com
 Powered by www.myengg.com
Collisions

B: Two bodies of equal masses suffering a head-on elastic collision merely exchanges their
velocities. (2005 E)
1. Both A and B are true 2. Both A and B are false
3. A is true but B is false 4. A is false but B is true
Ans. 1
Sol: We know that
⎛ m − m2 ⎞ ⎛ 2m2 ⎞
v1 = ⎜ 1 ⎟ u1 + ⎜ ⎟ u2
⎝ m1 + m2 ⎠ ⎝ m1 + m2 ⎠
⎛ 2m1 ⎞ ⎛ m2 − m1 ⎞
v2 = ⎜ ⎟ u1 + ⎜ ⎟ u2
⎝ m1 + m2 ⎠ ⎝ m1 + m2 ⎠
A) If u2 = 0 and m1=m2
Then v1= 0
⎛ 2m ⎞
v2 = ⎜ ⎟ u1 ⇒ v2 = u1
⎝ 2m ⎠
B) If m1 = m2 then v1= u2 and v2= u1
Then v1= 0
⎛ 2m ⎞
v2 = ⎜ ⎟ u1 ⇒ v2 = u1
⎝ 2m ⎠
∴ Both A and B are true

9. A 2 kg ball moving at 24 ms −1 undergoes head on elastic collision with a 4 kg ball moving

in the opposite direction at 48 ms −1 . If the coefficient of restitution is 2/3, their velocities, in
ms −1 after impact are (2004 - E )
1) - 56, - 8 2) - 28, - 4 3) - 14, - 2 4) -7 , -1
Ans: 1
v2 − v1
Sol: From the relations e = and
u1 − u2
m1u1 + m2u2 = m1v1 + m2 v2
2 v2 − v1
= …………………….(1)
3 u1 − u2
2 × 24 + 4 ( −48 ) = 2v1 + 4v2 …….(2)
Solving (1) & (2) v1 = -56 ms −1 , v2 = -8 ms −1

10. Two identical blocks A and B, each of mass m, resting on smooth floor are connected by a
light spring of natural length L and the spring constant k, with the spring at its natural
length. A third identical block C (mass m) moving with a speed v along the line joining A
and B collides inelastically with A. The maximum compression in the spring is
[2003 -E]
m v mv mv
1) v 2) m 3) 4)
2k 2k k 2k

82
Powered by www.myengg.com
 Powered by www.myengg.com
Collisions

Ans: 1

Sol:
When ‘c’ hits A, both A & B system move in the right direction with velocity V.
According to conservation of linear momentum
mc u = ( mA + mB ) v
as mc = mA = mB = m
u
mu = (m+m)v ⇒ v = ……………(1)
2
K.E of combines system = P.E stored in the spring
1 1
( m + m )( v ) = kx 2
2

2 2
m
On solving x = v
2k

11. A particle falls from a height 'h' upon a fixed horizontal plane and rebounds. If 'e' is the
coefficient of restitution, the total distance travelled before rebounding has stopped is
[2001 - E]
⎛ 1 + e2 ⎞ ⎛ 1 − e2 ⎞ h ⎛ 1 − e2 ⎞ h ⎛ 1 + e2 ⎞
1) h ⎜ 2 ⎟
2) h ⎜ 2 ⎟
3) ⎜ ⎟ 4) ⎜ ⎟
⎝ 1− e ⎠ ⎝ 1+ e ⎠ 2 ⎝ 1 + e2 ⎠ 2 ⎝ 1 − e2 ⎠
Ans: 1
Sol: H = total distance traveled before it stops rebounding
or coming to rest = h+h1+h2+…
= h + 2e2h + 2e4h +…
[ Since hx = e2x h] where x = number of rebounds
∴ H = h + 2e 2 h ⎡⎣1 + e 2 + ....⎤⎦
a 1
S∞ = =
1 − r 1 − e2
⎡ 1 ⎤ ⎛ 1 + e2 ⎞
∴ H = h + 2e 2 h ⎢ = h ⎜ 2 ⎟
⎣1 − e ⎥⎦ ⎝ 1− e ⎠
2

12. A body of mass m1 moving with a velocity 10 ms −1 collides with another body at rest of
mass m2 . After collision the velocities of the two bodies are 2 ms −1 and 5 ms −1 respectively
m
along the direction of motion of m1 . The ratio of 1 is [2000-E]
m2
5 5 8 12
1) 2) 3) 4)
12 8 5 5
Ans: 2
Sol: According to the law of conservation of linear momentum
m1u1 = m1v1 + m2 v2
m1 (10 ) = m1 ( 2 ) + m2 ( 5 )

83
Powered by www.myengg.com
 Powered by www.myengg.com
Collisions
m1 5
8m1 = 5m2 ⇒ =
m2 8

MEDICAL

13. Six marbles are lined up in a straight groove made on a horizontal frictionless surface as
shown below. Two similar marbles in contact, with a common velocity v collide with a row
of 6 marbles from left. Which of the following is observed? (2009 M)
1) One marble from the right rolls out with a speed 2v, the remaining marbles do not move.
2) Two marbles from the right roll out with speed v each, the remaining marbles do not
move
3) All six marbles in the row will roll out with a speed v/6 each, the two incident marbles
will come to rest
4) All eight marbles will start moving to the right, each with a speed of v/8
Ans : 1
Sol: According to the law of conservation of linear momentum when two bodies of same mass
collide they exchange velocities.
∴ Only two marbles from the extreme right will roll with a speed ‘v’ and the other balls
will remain at rest.
14. A body of mass 5kg makes an elastic collision with another body at rest and continues to
move in the original direction after collision with a velocity equal to 1/10th of its original
velocity. Then the mass of the second body is : (2009 M)
1) 4.09 kg 2) 0.5 kg 3) 5 kg 4) 5.09 kg
Ans : 1
⎛ m − m2 ⎞ ⎛ 2m2 ⎞
Sol: We know that v1 = ⎜ 1 ⎟ u1 + ⎜ ⎟ u2
⎝ 1
m + m 2 ⎠ ⎝ 1
m + m2 ⎠

As second body is at rest u2 = 0

⎛ m − m2 ⎞
∴ v1 = ⎜ 1 ⎟ u1
⎝ 1
m + m2 ⎠

u1 u ⎛ 5 − m2 ⎞
given v1 = ⇒ 1 =⎜ ⎟ u1
10 10 ⎝ 5 + m2 ⎠
⇒ m2= 4.09 kg
15. The object at rest suddenly explodes into three parts with the mass ratio 2:1:. The parts of
equal masses move at right angles to each other with equal speeds. The speed of the third
part after the explosion will be (2008 M)
V V
1) 2V 2) 3) 4) 2V
2 2
Ans: 2
Sol: Let the total mass of the object is 4m.
∴ equal masses of ‘m’ move at right angles with equal speeds ‘u’

84
Powered by www.myengg.com
 Powered by www.myengg.com
Collisions
∴ from law of conservation of linear momentum p1 + p2 + p3 = 0
(
p3 = − p1 + p2 )
The angle between p1 & p2 is 900
∴ p3 = p12 + p2 2 = 2 mu
Let the velocity of heavier part is V
u
∴ (2m) v = 2 mu ⇒ v =
2

'm'
16. A body of mass ‘m’ strikes another body at rest of mass . Assuming the impact to be
9
inelastic the fraction of the initial kinetic energy transformed into heat during the contact is
(2008 M)
1) 0.1 2) 0.2 3) 0.5 4) 0.64
Ans: 1
1 m1m2 2
Sol: Loss in K.E during perfect inelastic collision = u1
2 m1 + m2
1 m1m2 2
u1
2 m1 + m2
Fraction of initial K.E lost =
1
m1u12
2
m2
=
m1 + m2
m
= 9 = 0.1
m
m+
9

17. Two balls of same,. Masses each ‘m’ are moving with same velocities v on a smooth surface
as shown in figure. If all collisions between the masses and with the wall are perfectly
elastic, the possible number of collisions between the bodies and wall together is
(2008 M)

1) 1 2) 2 3) 3 4) infinity
Ans:3
Sol: No. of collisions made by the two bodies with wall = 2
No of collisions make with each other = 1
∴ Total No. of collisions = 3

85
Powered by www.myengg.com
 Powered by www.myengg.com
Collisions

18. In the figure, pendulum bob on left side is pulled aside to a height h form its initial position.
After it is released it collides with the right pendulum bob at rest, which is of same mass.
After the collision the two bobs stick together and raise to a height
(2007 M)

3h 2h h h
1) 2) 3) 4)
4 3 2 4
Ans: 4
Sol: Let ‘u’ is the initial velocity of the first body and the second body is at rest. After collision
both of them move combinedly with a velocity v and raises to a height h1.
∴ According to the law of conservation of linear momentum
m1u = ( m1 + m2 ) v
But m1 = m2 = m and v = 2 gh1 , u = 2 gh
h
∴ m 2 gh = ( 2m ) 2 gh1 ⇒ h1 =
4

19. A sphere of mass m moving with constant velocity u, collides with another stationary sphere
of same mass. If e is the coefficient of restitution, the ratio of the final velocities of the first
and second spheres is (2007 M)
1+ e 1− e e 1+ e
1) 2) 3) 4)
1− e 1+ e 1− e e
Ans:2
Sol: According to the law of conservation of linear momentum
m1u1 + m2u2 = m1v1 + m2 v2
⇒ mu + m × 0 = ( v1 + v2 ) m
⇒ u = v1 + v2 …………………….(1)
v2 − v1 v −v
Similarly e = = 2 1 ……………….(2)
u1 − u2 u
v 1− e
Solving (1) & (2) 1 =
v2 1+ e

20. In two separate collisions, the coefficient of restitutions e1 and e2 are in the ratio 3:1. In the
first collision the relative velocity of approach is twice the relative velocity of approach is
twice the relative velocity of separation, then and the ratio between relative velocity of
separation in the second collision is : (2006 M)
1) 1:6 2) 2:3 3) 3:2 4) 6:1
Ans : 4

86
Powered by www.myengg.com
 Powered by www.myengg.com
Collisions
v2 − v1 Relative Velocity of Separation
Sol: We know that e = =
u1 − u2 Relative Velocity of Approach
Ist case :-
given that u1-u2 = 2(v2 - v1)
v −v 1
⇒ 2 1 =
u1 − u2 2
1
∴ e1 =
2
IInd case :-
v 1 −v1
e2 = 21 11
u1 − u2
e 3 1/ 2 3
But given 1 = ⇒ =
e2 1 e2 1
⇒ e2 = 1/ 6
Relative Velocity of Separation 1 1
∴ = = =6
Relative Velocity of Approach e 1/ 6

21. A nucleus of mass 218 amu in free state decays to emit an α -particle, kinetic energy of the
α -particle emitted is 6.7 MeV. The recoil energy (in MeV) of the daughter nucleus is :
(2005 M)
1) 1.0 2) 0.5 3) 0.25 4) 0.125
Ans : 4
p2 1
Sol: From the relation K.E = ⇒ KE ∝
2m m
[Since momentum remains constant in any collision]
∴ KE∝ , KED are the kinetic energy of α particle and daughter nucleus of
masses mα and mD
∴ 607 × 4 = ( KE ) D × 214
∴ ( KE ) D = 0.125 MeV

22. Consider the following statements A and B and identify the correct answer:
A: Coefficient of restitution varies between 0 and 1.
B: In inelastic collision, the law of conservation of energy is satisfied. [2005-M]
1. A and B are true 2. A and B are false
3. A is true but B is false 4. A is false but B is true.
Ans:1
Sol: A) For perfectly elastic collision the value of e = 1 and perfectly inelastic collision
e = 0.
For all other collisions the value of e lies between 0 to 1.
B) In any collision the law of conservation of energy is satisfied.

87
Powered by www.myengg.com
 Powered by www.myengg.com
Collisions

23. A body x with a momentum p collides with another identical stationary body y one
dimensionally. During the collision y gives an impulse J to the body x. Then the coefficient
of restitution is (2004 - M)
2J J J J
1) −1 2) + 1 3) − 1 4) −1
P P P 2P
Ans: 1
Sol: As the collision is inelastic
⎛ m − em2 ⎞ ⎛ m2 (1 + e ) ⎞
v1 = ⎜ 1 ⎟ u1 + ⎜ ⎟ u2
⎝ 1
m + m2 ⎠ ⎝ 1
m + m 2 ⎠

given m1 = m2 = 0 and u2 = 0
mu (1 − e ) u1
∴ v1 = 1 = (1 − e )
2m 2
Given the momentum of first body = p = mu1
⎡ u ⎤
∴ J = ΔP = m ( u1 − v1 ) = m ⎢u1 − 1 (1 − e ) ⎥
⎣ 2 ⎦
mu p
⇒ J = 1 (1 + e ) = (1 + e )
2 2
2J
⇒e= −1
p

24. Consider the following statements A and B. Identify the correct choice in the given answer :
[2003 - M]
A : In a one - dimensional perfectly elastic collision between two moving bodies of equal
masses, the bodies merely exchange their velocities after collision
B : If a lighter body at rest suffers perfectly elastic collision with a very heavy body moving
with a certain velocity, after collision both travel with same velocity
1) A and B are correct 2) Both A and B are wrong
3) A is correct B is wrong 4) A is wrong B is correct
Ans: 3
Sol: A) Let V1 is the velocity of the first body after collision V2 is the velocity of second body
⎛ m − m2 ⎞ ⎛ 2m2 ⎞
∴V1 = ⎜ 1 ⎟ u1 + ⎜ ⎟ u2 ………………..(1)
⎝ m1 + m2 ⎠ ⎝ m1 + m2 ⎠
⎛ 2m1 ⎞ ⎛ m2 − m1 ⎞
V2 = ⎜ ⎟ u1 + ⎜ ⎟ u2 …………..(2)
⎝ m1 + m2 ⎠ ⎝ m1 + m2 ⎠
Sub m1 = m2 in (1) & (2)
V1 = u2 and V2 = u1
∴ A statement is correct
B) given m1>>m2 ∴ m2 + m1 ≈ m1 i.e. m2 ≈ 0
⎛ m −0⎞
from (1) V1 = ⎜ 2 ⎟ u1 + 0
⎝ 0 + m2 ⎠
since second body is at rest
88
Powered by www.myengg.com
 Powered by www.myengg.com
Collisions
∴V1 = u1 ……………………….(3)
⎛ 2m ⎞
From (2) V2 = ⎜ 1 ⎟ u1 + 0
⎝ m1 ⎠
Since second body is at rest
∴V2 = 2u1 ………………...(4)
From 3 and 4 we can conclude that the velocity of heavy body remains same but velocity of
lighter body becomes double
∴ B statement is wrong

25. A stationary body of mass 3 kg explodes into three equal pieces. Two of the pieces fly off at
right angles to each other, one with a velocity 2 i m/s and the other with velocity 3 j m/s. If
the explosion takes place in 10−5 s, the average force acting on the third piece in newtons is
[2003 - M]
G G G G G G G G
( )
1) 2i + 3 j × 10−5 (
2) − 2i + 3 j ×105) ( )
3) 3 j − 2i × 105 ( )
4) 2i − 3 j × 10−5

Ans : 2
( ) ( )
Sol: 1 2i + 1 3 j + 1(V3 ) = 0

(
∴V3 = − 2i + 3 j )
Force on the third piece

F= ⎣
(
1 ⎡ − 2i + 3 j ⎤
⎦ )
10−5
(
⇒ F = − 2i + 3 j 105 N)
26. A body of mass 2 kg moving with a velocity of 6m/s strikes inelastically another body of
same mass at rest. The amount of heat evolved during collision is [2002-M]
1) 36 J 2) 18 J 3) 9 J 4) 3 J
Ans : 2
Sol: Amount of heat evolved = loss of energy
1 m1m2
( u1 − u2 )
2
=
2 m1 + m2
1 ⎡ ( 2 )( 2 ) ⎤ 2
= ⎢ ⎥ ( 6 ) = 18 J
2 ⎣ 2+2 ⎦

27. A body 'A' experience perfectly elastic collision with a stationary body 'B'. If after collision
the bodies fly apart in the opposite directions with equal velocities, the mass ratio of 'A' and
'B' is [2001 M]
1 1 1 1
1) 2) 3) 4)
2 3 4 5
Ans: 2
Sol: When the collision is elastic, final velocity of the bodies
89
Powered by www.myengg.com
 Powered by www.myengg.com
Collisions
⎡ m + mB ⎤
V1 = ⎢ A ⎥ u1
⎣ mA + mB ⎦
⎡ 2m A ⎤
V2 = ⎢ ⎥ u1
⎣ mA + mB ⎦
But V1 = – V2 ( as they move in opposite direction)
∴ m A − m B = 2m A
⇒ mA : mB = 1: 3

DDDD

90
Powered by www.myengg.com